By Phrangsngi Pyrtuh
A public rally was called on 11th January by TUR and CSWO as a mark of protest against increasing rising atrocities against women and children in Meghalaya. During the rally, a set of demands were placed to the government prominent being the removal of HDR Lyngdoh as the Home Minister and to fast track the case of the rescued minor girl under the POCSO Act, 2012. While the case of the rescued girl is shocking, it is not an exception. It is an open secret that sex trafficking thrives in Shillong. The clientele’s list include the city’s common citizen to the who’s who, which is why it is not easy to contain it, leave alone bring to book those running it. There are doubts and a misplaced notion that sex trafficking is the same as prostitution. This is not the case which the article is not meant to address at this point.
Trafficking is a social problem. Undeniably cases of sex trafficking have spiraled because of political involvement. It is a nexus which is organized by individuals and groups, whose interest may or may not be confined to flesh trade. Organs, drugs and arms trafficking are different aspect of this lucrative business. More often than not, traffickers are in connivance with government servants and politicians making it a cartel of sort. Trafficking cases abound in India of political and official collusion. As such it is not easy to identify someone involved in such operations. And because of political support, traffickers if caught are often released to continue their shady operation albeit changing the modus operandi. It is therefore the society’s responsibility to ensure that the culprits behind the trafficking of the minor girl, must be prosecuted under the designated law. And therefore it makes sense for TUR and CSWO to ask the Home Minister to step down to ensure a fair and independent enquiry. Anything less than this not only dilutes the investigation but tantamounts to encouraging those involved in the crime.
Interestingly one of the key demands placed by TUR and CSWO was to immediately notify the Internal Complaints Committee/Local Complaints Committee throughout the state under the Sexual Harassment Act. Meghalaya is no stranger to cases of sexual harassment. Notably and not surprisingly sexual harassment cases have sprung mostly from education institution with the most recent sexual harassment case involving a professor from NEHU. Unfortunately sexual harassment as an issue is yet to become part of a political dialogue in the state. While some politicians have expressed their opposition against sex trafficking with some even making guest appearance during the public rally, none have expressed their support in urgently notifying the provisions of the sexual harassment laws.
Meghalaya has five women legislators for the first time since the inception of the state. There are women representatives in the different district councils as well. Unfortunately they maintain their silence even as the case of the minor girl unfolded, neither lending support to the victim nor endorsing organizations/groups who were seeking the arrest of all the culprits. Their selective “mutism” manifests their inability to look beyond political boundaries. In a society where the political domain is completely male centric the silence of these women legislators on issues regarding sex trafficking and harassment is regrettable. There were little or late response to the case from other stakeholders including religious groups revealing their lackadaisical nature to the issue at hand.
Sexual violence knows no gender, caste, class or ideology. It is important for everyone to be on the same page. Prior to the rally, there were elements who tried to stall the program from taking place. Supporters of legislator Julius Dorphang and HDR Lyngdoh staged a counter protest supporting their respective legislators. Threats and accusations were hurled at TUR and CSWO for calling the protest rally. On social networking sites such as facebook, slanderous remarks/comments flew thick and fast leading to the public rally. Shockingly these remarks emanate from youngsters and teenagers. Facebook for instance has become a platform for breeding misogynist and patriarchal elements. Some remarks are dangerous even as they are ludicrous. A few have painted communal color to the case as some disagreed with non-tribals (read non-Khasis) participating in the public rally. One may dismiss these comments as trivial and childish. To me these remarks are not only vitriolic but they offer a reflection of a degraded society where intolerance has reached a toxic level. Fortunately in all of this the two organization stood their ground.
Much to the disappointment of the establishment and political circles, the rally was a successful one as it managed to bring hundreds of people together from all walks of life, profession and communities. The next few steps are even more challenging. The first being to ensure that prosecution of all the culprits takes place without fear or favor. Second that the government accepts the nine set of demands placed before it. Third the Women’s Commission lives up to its expectations and work on real time basis. The launch of helpline is one such step. Restructuring the Commission in terms of hierarchy and accountability is another. Fourth creating awareness on trafficking and sexual harassment and reaching out to the younger generation through educational institutions, churches and social networking sites. These are not exhaustive or exclusive. All initiatives must have a consensus to counter Gender violence and sexual exploitation. This is a social responsibility which requires prompt action. As concerned citizens we need to hold to account those obstructing or subverting decisive social action.